Optimisation of Electrochemical Treatment of Artificial Wastewater Using Cyclic Voltammetry

Anirudh B. T. Nelabhotla and Carlos Dinamarca

Abstract—Solar PV and wind turbine technologies are the
prime sources of renewable energy and have rapidly increased
their share in the total electricity production in the recent years.
However, these technologies are highly dependent on nature and
makes them an unreliable source of energy from an end-point
perspective. Power to Gas (PtG) technology resolves this issue
and provides an opportunity to convert these intermittent
sources of energy into a more reliable one. With the processes of
electrochemistry combined with methanogenesis PtG technology
is able to provide a more reliable source of energy in the form
gases (hydrogen or methane), that can be both stored and
transported. This article discusses various electrochemical
parameters such as voltage, current, electrode material, pH and
temperature using cyclic voltammetry technique in order to
select the best electrode material. Three electrode materials
(platinized titanium mesh, carbon felt and graphite rod) are
compared with each other for their electrochemical
performances at 4 different pH and 6 different temperatures.
The results show that carbon felt electrode material is the most
efficient and inexpensive material for further research in the
field of bioelectrochemical wastewater treatment.

The authors are with the Faculty of Technology, Natural and Maritime
Sciences, University College of Southeast Norway, Porsgrunn, 3918,
Norway (e-mail: anirudh.nelabhotla@usn.no, carlos.dinamarca@usn.no).